COVID-19 workplace safety, health rules become permanent Wednesday
Permanent COVID-19 workplace safety and health rules take effect Wednesday in Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam announced, including standards that require all public-facing employees to wear masks as well as requiring businesses to provide ready access to hand sanitizer and regular common workspace cleaning. The rules range from appropriate personal protective equipment to sanitation, social distancin[...]
$29.6M state grants to expand broadband in 11 localities
Nearly $30 million in Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) grants will be disbursed among five projects to expand broadband access in 11 localities in the Northern Neck, Southwest and Southern Virginia and Botetourt County, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. The projects will connect more than 11,700 households, businesses and institutions to high-speed internet. VATI provides funding [[...]
Northam calls FEMA denial ‘a slap in the face’
In a tweet Tuesday, Gov. Ralph Northam decried the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s denial of federal funding for the Virginia National Guard presence at the U.S. Capitol as a “slap in the face” by President Donald Trump. “Virginia was there to defend the U.S. Capitol on January 6 — and we are committed to ensuring […]
Facing her own censure, Chase plans resolution to censure Lucas
As state Democrats seek to censure her for participating in the Jan. 6 pro-Trump rally that preceded the violent breach of the U.S. Capitol, state Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield County, said she planned to file a resolution Monday to censure Democratic colleague Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, for taking part in a social justice protest last […]
State anticipates fewer COVID vaccine doses due to U.S. shortfall
Virginia public health officials said Saturday that the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses sent to the state is likely to decrease — possibly by a significant amount — because the federal government does not have the reserve of doses it had said were being held back for second shots. Dr. Danny Avula, the state’s vaccine […]
Shenandoah County distillery faces environmental violation charges
Maurertown-based Filibuster Distillery LLC and its co-founder, Sid Dilawri, have been indicted on 115 counts of violating State Water Control laws by allegedly dumping more than 40,000 gallons of industrial waste into a Shenandoah County stream, according to the Virginia Office of the Attorney General. The Shenandoah County distillery, Filibuster Barrels LLC and Dilawri were […]
Northam warns extremists with “ill intent” to avoid Richmond
Speaking at a news conference Thursday, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam issued a warning to anyone “with ill intent in your heart” to abandon their plans to come to Richmond as part of an armed protest of the state legislature. The governor said the state government is prepared for security concerns around the General Assembly’s annual […]
State opens COVID-19 vaccinations for Virginians 65 and older
Updated Jan. 18: A vaccine dose shortfall in the federal stockpile will likely lower the weekly number of doses Virginia receives, but state officials say they will continue with expansion of group 1b. Earlier: As part of a federal push to speed up the pace of vaccinations, Gov. Ralph Northam said Thursday that the state […]
Va. General Fund revenue increased 15.1% in December 2020
Virginia’s General Fund revenue for December 2020 increased 15.1% compared with December 2019, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday. Total revenue collections rose 7.8% through December on a fiscal year-to-date basis, which was well ahead of the 1.2% growth forecast. The increase was driven by growth in payroll withholding, corporate income tax, sales and use taxes, […]
Del. Torian elected chair of Virginia Minority Business Commission
Del. Luke Torian has been elected chair of the newly organized Virginia Minority Business Commission at its inaugural meeting on Thursday. The commission was created by the 2020-2022 biennial state budget to promote growth and competitiveness of minority-owned businesses in Virginia and evaluate best practices to expand minority business ownership. “This commission’s objectives will be [&h[...]
Liberty University sues state over tuition assistance cut for online students
Liberty University, the large, private nonprofit Christian school in Lynchburg, has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Ralph Northam and the director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), alleging that amendments to the 2020 state budget “wrongly exclude Virginia students who access higher education through online content” from receiving the Virginia Tuition […]
Sen. Amanda Chase ‘will absolutely not resign’
UPDATED 4:40 P.M., JAN. 8 Virginia Senate Democrats called Friday for the resignation of Republican state Sen. Amanda Chase, who spoke at the pro-Trump demonstration in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday that turned violent and led to a breach of the U.S. Capitol, but Chase says she “absolutely” will not leave her office. Facebook placed restrictions […]